Expression of Interest (EOI)
Australia | EOI Skill select
Your first step toward skilled migration in Australia starts with an EOI.
Showcase your skills to the Australian Government and wait for an invitation to apply.
An EOI acts like an introductory profile. Before the Australian Government can invite you to apply for a visa, they need a clear picture of who you are and what skills you bring. If your profile matches what Australia’s requirements, you may receive an invitation to apply. If your goal is to live or work in Australia, cannot begin with a visa application. Your first step is to show your interest to the government by submitting an Expression of Interest (EOI).
Important: An EOI is not a visa application. It is simply a declaration of your skills and experience. You should only submit one when you are confident you meet the requirements. Career Education Consultancy Australia (CECA) can help assess your eligibility before you lodge your EOI.
What is Expression of Interest (EOI)?
An Expression of Interest (EOI) is an online form submitted through the SkillSelect system. It collects information about your skills to determine if you meet the Points Test for Australian skilled migration.
You will need an EOI for the following visa types:
- Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189): No sponsorship required.
- Skilled Nominated Visa (Subclass 190): Requires nomination from a State or Territory.
- Skilled Work Regional Visa (Subclass 491): For applicants willing to live and work in regional areas.
- Business Visas (Subclass 132 & 188): For business migration opportunities.
SkillSelect calculates your points based on your responses. Employers and State Governments may also view your EOI if they are seeking candidates with your skills.
How to Submit EOI?
You must submit your EOI online via SkillSelect.
What is Included in EOI?
The EOI form gathers information about your background and skills, which is used to calculate your points score.
You will need to provide the following details:
- Personal Information: Full name, date of birth, and citizenship.
- Nominated Occupation: The specific role you are applying for.
- Work Experience: Your employment history, including where you have worked and for how long.
- English Proficiency: Results from tests such as IELTS or PTE.
- Regional Preference: Whether you are willing to live in regional Australia, which can improve your chances of nomination.
Do you need to upload documents? At this stage, you are not required to upload any documents; certificates or passports are not needed yet. The government relies on the information you provide, but everything must be accurate, as you will need to provide proof later.
What Happens After I Submit?
After submitting your EOI, it remains active in the SkillSelect system. You can log in at any time to:
- Update your information: If you gain a new job or improve your English scores, update your details to boost your points.
- Pause your EOI: Temporarily suspend your application if needed.
What happens next? There are two possible outcomes:
- Successful Outcome:
- Invitation to Apply: You may receive an official invitation to apply for the visa.
- Employer Contact: An Australian employer could reach out to discuss potential sponsorship.
- Independent Visas: Invitations are typically issued monthly to applicants with the highest points.
- State Nominated Visas: States select the workers they need and may contact you before offering nomination.
- Unsuccessful (For Now):
- Don’t worry if you’re not immediately successful — competition is high.
- Your EOI remains valid for two years, and you may still receive an invitation anytime within that period.
I Got an Invitation! What's Next?
Congratulations — you’ve reached a crucial stage.
You have 60 days to submit your visa application.
You have 60 days to submit your visa application.
This is the point to provide evidence. You must submit all the documents that verify the information you included in your EOI.
Need Help? Use a Professional.
While an EOI may appear straightforward, even minor errors can result in visa refusal.
Why choose Career Education Consultancy Australia (CECA)? Under Australian law (Migration Act 1958), only Registered Migration Agents are legally allowed to provide immigration advice.
Using unregistered advisors is risky—they may give incorrect guidance or charge fees without providing proper assistance.
CECA’s agents are fully registered with the Migration Agents Registration Authority (MARA).
Protect your future. Reach out to CECA today to ensure your Expression of Interest is accurate and complete.
General Skilled Migration (GSM) Points Test Summary
(Applicable for Subclass 189, 190 & 491 visas)
To be eligible for Australian skilled migration visas, you must score at least 65 points on the points test. Points are awarded based on the following factors:
| Factor | Points Available |
|---|---|
| Age | Up to 30 points (maximum points for ages 25–32) |
| English Language Ability | Up to 20 points (Competent, Proficient, or Superior) |
| Skilled Employment Experience | Up to 20 points (combination of overseas and Australian work experience) |
| Educational Qualifications | Up to 20 points (based on highest qualification achieved) |
| Australian Study Requirement | 5 points (for completing eligible Australian study) |
| Professional Year in Australia | 5 points (completion of an approved professional year) |
| State/Territory Nomination | 5 points (only for Subclass 190 and 491 visas) |
| Family Sponsorship | 15 points (only for Subclass 491 family sponsorship stream) |
| Partner Skills and English Ability | Up to 10 points (if your partner meets requirements) |
Important Notes:
Minimum 65 points required to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI).
Subclass 189 (Skilled Independent Visa) applicants do not receive points for state nomination or family sponsorship.
Subclass 190 (Skilled Nominated Visa) applicants receive 5 bonus points for state or territory nomination.
Subclass 491 (Skilled Work Regional Provisional Visa) applicants can receive either 5 points for state/territory nomination or 15 points for family sponsorship in designated regional areas.
Achieving higher points improves your chance of receiving an invitation to apply for a visa.
Points are calculated based on criteria at the time you receive an invitation.
FAQs About EOI
How much does the EOI SkillSelect cost?
Nothing! Submitting an Expression of Interest is 100% free. You only pay visa fees later if you get invited to apply.
What is the minimum points for EOI Australia?
Currently, you need a minimum of 65 points to submit an EOI. However, competition is high, so having a higher score (like 80+) gives you a much better chance of getting picked.
How long does EOI take for Australia?
There is no fixed time. Once submitted, your EOI stays in the pool for 2 years. You could get an invite in a few weeks, a few months, or not at all, depending on your points score and what skills Australia needs at the moment.
Can I submit EOI for both 189 and 190?
Yes. You can select both visa options in the same EOI form. This is actually a smart move because it increases your chances of being noticed by both the Federal Government (189) and State Governments (190).
Can EOI be rejected?
Technically, no. Since an EOI is not a visa application, it doesn’t get “rejected.” Instead, if your points are too low, you simply won’t receive an invitation. If you don’t get invited within 2 years, your EOI will just expire.
